catching up

a lot has happened since the last post. we are now living in oklahoma and jason is no longer in the army. he has decided to part ways with the military and entered the business world. he is now working for state farm and after one week on the job, is happy and feels like he made the right decision. it was hard to leave ft. bliss because i've made so many wonderful friends there. the army family is like nothing else in this world. so it was hard to say good-bye to the friends and hard to say good-bye to the army. but, i am looking forward to this next chapter in our lives. levi is still a happy baby. he has entered full-blown attachment to mom phase. which is good. its great, actually. there are times when i wish that he wasn't so attached to me...like when i really just want to eat my dinner and someone is offering to hold him. but, i think its a good sign and very healthy. speaking of healthy, i took him to the doctor last week...and he now weighs 16.9 pounds!! he's growing and has a big appetite. we have pretty much skipped baby food. it only lasted for about 4 weeks and then he became not interested. he would rather have the real deal and he would prefer to feed himself. he's still such a sweet boy. most of the time you can find him babbling to himself and smiling all day. the move and transition has been hard, but he has done well. we've been at a hotel, at our new house, or at both grandma's houses since leaving el paso. and he has only slept in his crib at home 3 nights in the last two weeks. he has his moments...but really,  you can't blame him. we are currently in st. louis visiting my family. i'm enjoying my time here, but ready to get back home, finish unpacking and get settled into our new routine. Levi met my parents and siblings yesterday and was a big hit! everyone loves him!! hopefully, once we get settled back in at home i'll be able to blog more. here are a few pictures of the last few weeks!

levi...10 months old. march 6, 2011

levi's baptism. april 10, 2011

the new house

at cattleman's steakhouse in texas

not gonna get me down

so, it's wednesday. our issue with Jason being cleared to leave isn't totally resolved. i'll save you from the details and from me speaking badly of commanders and the army. the bottom line is that we have verbal confirmation that Jason can leave. we will believe it when we have a signed leave form. all i can say is i am thankful for friends who are there to help and to encourage and to hug. one thing i will say about the army is it is family. living 19 hours away from family definitely has its down side, BUT, the friends i've made here are as good as family. one friend today told me that Satan is trying to steal my joy. and until she said it, i had never really thought about it. i just let him steal it. it helps knowing that things are looking up. but, i'm changing my perspective and focusing on this sweet face:

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in all the stress of worrying about Jason getting to go and booking flights and confirming flights and worrying about Jason getting to go, (did I already say that?) I lost sight of what is really important. in 3 days, we are on a flight to go pick up our precious baby boy. on Monday, Levi will be FOREVER in our arms. we are not leaving him there this time. he is coming HOME!!! i don't know about you, but that makes me smile. :) 

our travel agency called me today to tell me that when he was trying to do our seat assignments, he discovered our flight was full. we had held off booking the flights until yesterday, because we were unsure of Jason's leave status. and, these flights aren't cheap! so, we are now leaving on saturday, which puts us there monday morning. i was trying to avoid arriving the day before our embassy appointment, but maybe this is the way is was meant to be. it does work out better for Jason's work situation. i'm still waiting on a total confirmation that those flights are booked. i have had a headache for 3 days now...i wonder why. 

but...there i go again. shame on me. I know that God is in control and for whatever reason, I am needing to learn that lesson. Satan will not get this victory...it belongs to Jesus! 

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Showered with love

Once a month the Chaplain Wives get together for a coffee. A coffee is a military tradition, usually for the wives. Its pretty much a social event. Most units have regular coffees, although our's does not. But, the Chaplain Wives have one every month. Its a great time of fellowship, food, and laughs. We take turns hosting the monthly event. Last month it was a baby shower for me!!! My good friend, Carrie, hosted it at her house. It was simple and low key...and perfect. She had just the right amount of decorations. The perfect assortment of food. And read the most touching sermon about adoption. I was crying before I ever started opening gifts. I was so blessed by the wonderful group of Chaplain Wives at Ft. Bliss.